Tony Yazbeck & Nancy Anderson in Fanny
Hill
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Ed
Dixon based his new musical on an English novel writen by
John Cleland back in 1749. If you think that means the characters
are prim and proper, think again. The scandalous book Fanny
Hill tells the racy story of a very busy prostitute
and was banned soon after its publication. In this country
the novel was first banned in 1821, and again as recently as
1963. (In 1966 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it did not
meet the standard for obscenity.) Dixon's musical adaptation
isn't obscene either, but it is lusty, lubricious and very
funny.
The titular heroine (Nancy Anderson) is a
country girl from Lancashire who moves to London at 15 following
the death of her parents. Pretty and naïve, she accepts
an offer to live with Mrs. Brown (Patti Allison) and her bevy
of "cousins." Of course, Mrs. Brown's home is what
was then known as a bawdy house, and soon Fanny is being called
on to entertain customers like the wizened but randy Mr. Croft
(David Cromwell). Housemate Martha (Emily Skinner) befriends
Fanny, promises to protect her and promptly seduces her too.
Fanny flees Mrs. Brown's and literally falls on--and falls
for--a young sailor named Charles (Tony Yazbeck) who is just
as innocent as Fanny. They quickly fall in love, marry and
move with a Mr. Sneed (Michael J. Farina), but their happiness
is short lived. Fanny returns to prostitution and becomes a
leading practitioner of the world's oldest profession.
I haven't read Cleland's notorious novel,
but according to the press materials the book is more serious
and more licentious (boasting 35 sex scenes) than Dixon's humorous,
lighthearted musical version. Dixon wrote the book, music and
lyrics, and his adaptation is wittier than it is lewd. After
someone mentions pets, for instance, Mrs. Brown slyly remarks, "I
do love a Cockatoo." There's also a clever running joke
involving one character making an aside to the audience and
another character overhearing it.
The lyrics are as smart as the dialogue, and
the music-a little bit Gilbert & Sullivan, a little
bit Les Miz--suits the period. Most of the songs are
short, upbeat and droll. The tunes aren't easy to remember
after the show, though, and the ballads aren't as enjoyable
as the comic numbers. If there's one standout song, it's Mrs.
Brown's saucy "Every Man in London," which Allison
milks it for all it's worth.
Nancy Anderson & Emily Skinner
in Fanny Hill
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In fact, Allison is a hoot whenever she's
on stage. Mrs. Brown isn't exactly likable, but like Annie's
Miss Hannigan she's lovably rotten. And Allison's well-trained
soprano comes in handy when Mrs. Brown shrieks with anger as
well as when she hits high notes. I would say that Allison
steals the show, except that David Cromwell is also wonderful
in a few roles. In addition to the ancient Mr. Croft, Cromwell
plays the aristocratic lech Lord Hereford, Father Norbert and
other smaller parts. Most of the actors juggle multiple roles
and make it look easy. The cast is full of strong singers,
with Anderson and Skinner in fine form. As another lady of
the evening, Christianne Tisdale does a nice job with "Phoebe's
Song," supported by Skinner and Gina Ferrall.
Rounding out the cast is Adam Monley, who has fun playing an
amply endowed stable boy.
James Brennan's direction accentuates the
show's cheeky sense of humor and keeps things moving along
briskly. The multilevel wooden set designed by Michael Bottari
and Ronald Case is rather elaborate for the York Theatre Company.
It's economical too, since a carriage gets deconstructed and
turns into a bed. Stan Tucker serves as musical director of
the three-person orchestra, and as usual it's great to hear
unamplified singing in the York's cozy space.
The whole cast and production is first-rate,
but Dixon deserves a large part of the credit. A veteran actor
(The Scarlet Pimpernel, Under the Bridge), Dixon has
recently become a prolific writer. His Richard Cory, seen at
last fall's New York Musical Theatre Festival, was a serious,
tightly controlled chamber opera. Fanny Hill is a
much more freewheeling and fun adaptation. It's a delightfully
risqué business that might make you want to pick up
Cleland's naughty novel.
Fanny Hill
By Ed Dixon
Based on the novel by John Cleland
Directed by James Brennan
York Theatre Company |
